Church, Discipleship, and Missions

Not Disobedient: Year Two Day 230 Devotional

Passage: Acts 25-26
Psalm and Proverbs: Psalm 38

Acts 26:19-20

“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Paul could say he was not disobedient to Jesus’ will. He proclaimed the gospel to all. Can we say the same thing as Paul? Are we equally obedient?

O Lord, help me to be obedient to Your call.

Psalm 39:12 (NASB)

“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    and give ear to my cry;
    hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
    a guest, like all my fathers.

Sustaining Promises: Year Two Day 229 Devotional

Passage: Acts 22:30-24:27
Psalm and Proverbs: Psalm 38

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

The Lord assured Paul that He would proclaim the gospel in Rome. This promise sustained Paul through the dangers and trials ahead. Like Paul, if God still has us here, He is not done with us and has a purpose for us. May that truth sustain us in our trials.

Help us to remain faithful, knowing that You are faithful.

Psalm 38:21-22 (NASB)

Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

Don’t Spread Rumors: Year Two Day 228 Devotional

Passage: Acts 21:1-22:29
Psalm and Proverbs: Psalm 3

Acts 21:20-21

And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.

Rumors are dangerous, and sadly not uncommon even among believers. People tend to want to believe the worse about others. Paul was a victim of such rumors. When we hear something about a fellow Christian, we should not spread it. Instead, we check its veracity.

Help Your people not to fall for lies and spread rumors.

Psalm 37:7-9 (NASB)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Uncompromising and Not Offending: Year Two Day 227 Devotional

Passage: 19:21-20:38
Psalm and Proverbs: Psalm 36

Acts 19:37

For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.

Paul and his co-laborers faithfully proclaimed the gospel. Yet, they could not be accused of blaspheming the false gods of the Ephesians. In cross-cultural ministry, they could walk a fine line between the uncompromising proclamation of the truth while not unnecessarily offending those in the local culture.

Help us live and minister wisely in cultures that are hostile to the gospel.

Psalm 36:10 (NASB)

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Missionary Success: Year Two Day 226 Devotional

Passage: Acts 18:1-19:20
Psalm and Proverbs: Psalm 35

Acts 18:5-11

⁵When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. ⁶And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” ⁷And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. ⁹And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, ¹⁰for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” ¹¹And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Paul relied on the Holy Spirit for power and guidance. This reliance was the secret of his missionary success. We must rely on the Spirit in our ministries.

Teach us dependence on You for all things.

Psalm 35:1-3 (NASB)

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
    fight against those who fight against me!
Take hold of shield and buckler
    and rise for my help!
Draw the spear and javelin
    against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
    “I am your salvation!”